Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)

This species is very common in Shropshire, found in a range of habitats including pools, lakes or slow rivers, it is on the wing during the months of June and July. Of medium size, the body is slightly fatter than a darter yet slimmer than a Chaser! The body is thickened but tapers gradually to the tip. The male is blue with a black tip, the female is yellow with longitudinal black bands on the abdomen. It is a very 'busy' Dragonfly, constantly on the more taking short rests from time to time!

A mature male perched, the black tipped blue abdomen is narrower than a Chaser....

A male at rest on the bank, distinctive black tipped blue abdomen and unstained wing base....

A pair in tandem mating....

A mature female, note the wing damage and blue pruinescence to the edges of the abdomen, both of which develop with age ....

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